Hong Kong completed a grand slam of the Group One races on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, with Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and My Wish all beating off overseas challenges in style.
In the big race of the day, the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize, trainer David Hayes cut a relieved figure after Ka Ying Rising took down his own track record once again, despite his rider Zac Purton coasting home in the closing stages.
It was a victory with all the swagger and arrogance of a superstar athlete at the peak of his powers, with the world’s best sprinter jogging behind his rivals before being guided into the open by Purton and unleashing his customary devastating burst.
In a matter of strides, the race turned into a procession, with the crowd roaring its approval as he skipped further and further clear, eventually sauntering home in a record time of one minute 07.10 seconds.
We have now seen Ka Ying Rising rocket home for 20 consecutive wins, including nine at the highest level, but the crowd clearly knew they were witnessing something special, with Hong Kong’s superstar returning to a raucous reception.
For his regular partner Purton, he has transcended into a category of his own, and there can be few doubts now about whether he is the greatest horse on the planet.